Press advocates say the three branches of the Peruvian government are targeting journalists with legal cases, legislation and verbal attacks.
With approval ratings at just 4%, President Dina Boluarte enacted a law that places state oversight on media that receive international funding. The law is being compared to similar legislation from authoritarian regimes, in a context of increasing democratic deterioration in Peru.
On April 15, the Vatican formalized the dissolution of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peru-based movement investigated by two reporters for sexual abuse, financial mismanagement, and spiritual coercion by top members.
In less than a month, at least four journalists have been killed in Mexico, Peru and Colombia for reasons that could be linked to their work. Experts say these numbers are evidence that violence continues to be one of the main ways to censor in many countries in the region.
Digital satire programs, such as Mexico’s “El Pulso de la República” or Colombia’s “La Pulla,” are gaining increasing visibility and having big impacts on public discourse in their countries. They’re also filling the gap in sociopolitical criticism left by traditional media, according to research by Peruvian journalist and academic Paul Alonso.
Lawmakers from the left and the right are drafting ‘foreign agent’ laws they claim protect their national sovereignty. They also threaten independent news outlets that rely on international funding.
Journalist Jaime Ayala Sulca disappeared on Aug. 2, 1984 after entering the Navy Headquarters in the municipality of Huanta, Peru. After two years of trial, one of the defendants has been sentenced.
As the verdict against two former military officers for the disappearance and torture of Peruvian journalist Jaime Ayala in 1984 is about to be announced, the ‘law of impunity’ could close the case forever.
Across Bolivia, El Salvador and Peru, the spread of disinformation has disproportionately impacted marginalized communities amidst sociopolitical conflict in recent years. Local non-governmental organizations in these countries conducted information ecosystem research to understand its impacts.
Peruvian journalist Gustavo Gorriti is currently facing an investigation by the prosecutor's office for the alleged crime of bribery and his communications have been requested. Several organizations have said the case is retaliation for his journalistic work. Gorriti spoke with LJR about this investigation against him, his response to the attacks and even the lessons that he’s gained from this process.
Digital media outlets CIPER (Chile), Agência Pública (Brazil) and La Antígona (Peru) have innovative financing models involving their audiences that have allowed them simultaneously to support themselves financially and strengthen their bonds with readers. These media shared 10 strategies to optimize reader contributions.
Attacks on the press are undoubtedly one of the main challenges for media and journalists in Latin America. Talking about the state of digital journalism in the region also implies knowing the obstacles to press freedom. Journalists from Guatemala, Peru and Venezuela spoke about these challenges during the 17th Ibero-American Colloquium on Digital Journalism.